En stående tyr og en liggende ko 1850

Johannes Wilhelm Zillen created this etching of a standing bull and a reclining cow sometime in the mid-19th century. The image presents a serene view of rural life. Considered through a social lens, we can see that as the 19th century progressed, more and more Europeans moved into urban centers, leaving behind a life of agriculture. Images such as this one would have resonated with buyers and collectors, reminding them of simpler times. The etching technique itself speaks to the rise of printmaking as a viable art form. It allowed for the wider distribution of images, democratizing art ownership to some degree. Art historians might explore how the image embodies the burgeoning Romantic movement, which valued emotion, nature, and the past. By researching Zillen’s personal history, and the archives of institutions displaying his work, we may gain an even richer understanding of the image's meaning.